Course Syllabus

SPEA-V 379 PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT & PROGRAM EVALUATION

Instructor: Morgan Occhino, MPH; mocchino@iu.edu 

Teaching Assistant: Daniel Murphy, JD; murphydp@iu.edu 

Office Hours: After class and by appointment.

Class Meeting: Tuesday and Thursday; 8:00 am – 9:15 am; SPEA PV A221

Dates: Fall 2026; Tuesday, August 24, 2026 to Friday, December 18, 2026

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course provides an overview of program evaluation as it relates to public affairs, criminal justice, health policy, and environmental science with particular emphasis on measuring program outcomes. The course is designed for students who envision themselves working in management, policy-making, or research roles.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Explain core concepts and goals of performance measurement and program evaluation in public and nonprofit settings.
  2. Select appropriate logic models, indicators, and data collection methods for a given program scenario.
  3. Collect and interpret basic qualitative and quantitative data; communicate findings clearly to diverse audiences.
  4. Assess evaluation practices for ethical soundness, feasibility, and other unintended effects.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Competency in the course is evaluated on a student’s engagement with, and mastery of the content as follows:

Class participation (15% of the final grade). Class participation is essential. Participation will be evaluated through weekly contributions in class.

Weekly quizzes and assignments (45% of the final grade). Each week a quiz and/or assignment will be posted in the weekly module. Some of them will be due in class, while others will be due at the end of the week. Each quiz or assignment will have its due date and a number of points that can be earned.

Final Project (30% of the final grade) will take place during the last week of classes

Course reflection (10% of the final grade). A short essay that describes student's learning process, its challenges and evolution will be assigned during the last week of classes.

For additional policies and schedule see "Syllabus" in Files.

https://iu.instructure.com/courses/2421244/files/folder/Syllabus?preview=209581253